NBA Trade Deadline Passes with No Orlando Magic Deals

The Orlando Magic let the 2012 NBA trade deadline pass Thursday afternoon without making any trades, keeping intact a roster that's compiled the league's fifth-best record. Otis Smith, the team's President of Basketball Operations, told John Denton of OrlandoMagic.com he "looked at a ton of things" before the deadline, but ultimately couldn't complete a deal that made improved his club.

"Once you make a trade, you're looking at 20 games to get acclimated," Smith said, according to Denton. "You have to weight the risk-reward, and nothing made sense."

In the weeks leading up to Thursday's deadline, Orlando had been rumored to be targeting Golden State Warriors guard Monta Ellis and Minnesota Timberwolves forward Michael Beasley. The Warriors dealt Ellis to the Milwaukee Bucks, while the Wolves' efforts to divest themselves of Beasley came up short.

The Magic stayed quiet, but might have made the best move of the day regardless, as superstar center Dwight Howard agreed to waive his Early Termination Option for the summer of 2012, which keeps the six-time All-Star in Magic pinstripes at least through the 2012/13 season.

The Magic did not practice or shoot-around on Thursday. They next play Friday against the New Jersey Nets, who traded for former All-Star forward Gerald Wallace at the deadline. New Jersey sent Mehmet Okur, Shawne Williams, and a first-round draft choice to the Portland Trail Blazers to acquire Wallace.

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